The cultural heritage of Nepal is rich and diverse. This multifaceted heritage encompasses the diversity of Nepal’s ethnic, tribal, and social groups. In Nepal, the expression of cultural diversity is expressed through music, dance, art, craft, folklore, literature, philosophy, festivals, and celebrations, as well as foods and drinks.

Many Nepalese are patient and calm and are not overly dramatic people. Their tolerance has made it possible for many different faiths and ethnicities to coexist harmoniously. Much of Nepal’s culture centers on tradition and religion.

The traditional and historical tour of the Kathmandu valley allows the travelers to take a multi-day tour through the ancient trails and villages of Kathmandu Valley, passing through small farming villages, lush green forests, and old temples, and learn about the traditional lifestyle and heritage of the locals. Additionally, you will be able to enjoy views of the Himalayas and stay in authentic local inns and farm stays each night.

Welcome to Kathmandu

With the exception of India, you require a Nepalese visa in order to get to Nepal. However, getting a visa is easy when you arrive in Kathmandu or from a Nepalese Embassy in your country. As you fly into Kathmandu, you’ll see stunning views of the city, the Himalayas, and terraced fields below. Once you have cleared customs, a representative will meet you at the airport and guide you through Kathmandu’s narrow, winding streets so you can check into your hotel.

Strolling through Patan

Depending on your arrival time the next afternoon, you’ll walk through some of Patan’s most hidden alleys and courtyards. We will walk through the ancient courtyards of the city of Newar, where artisans live, and you’ll get to learn about the design and heritage of this historical city and gain a unique insight into their lives.

You can visit the many noteworthy temples in Patan Durbar Square, such as the Krishna Mandir, the Bhimsen Temple, the Vishwanath Temple, and Taleju Bhawani Temple, as well as the palace itself with its three main courtyards, Mul Chowk, Sundari Chowk, and Keshav Narayan Chowk. Furthermore, to the north of the main Patan Durbar Square lies the Rat Temple or Golden Temple.

It will also be possible for you to meet and learn about the highly skilled metalwork artisans who create the stunning brass statues on display and to discuss the ancient art of thangka painting with the artists or making pottery. 

Significant Area in Kathmandu

After breakfast at your hotel the next day, you’ll meet with an English-speaking guide for a full-day tour of Kathmandu Valley, stopping at three of the most sacred cultural and historical sites of Boudhanath, Swayambhunath, and Patan Durbar Square. This tour allows you to see quite a bit of Kathmandu but doesn’t overload you with too many sites. There is plenty of time to spend at each temple (your private tour will last just for you), although most people tend to spend only an hour or two at each of these sites.

After lunch at a recommended local restaurant, return to your Kathmandu hotel in the late afternoon to meet your trekking guide and discuss tomorrow’s adventure.

Heading towards Panauti

On the next day, after visiting the aforementioned temples, we head towards Panauti. After breakfast, you’ll walk ten minutes down the valley to Asapuri to see a small temple before continuing on to Panauti on a jeep road. Finally, you’ll begin the climb up a walking trail which ascends out of the valley.

Upon finishing the climb, you will begin skirting the hills on mostly contouring trails with spectacular views. Afterward, you will descend the hill to Panauti village, where you can spend the afternoon exploring the village.

As the capital of the autonomous kingdom of Banepa in the 13th century, Panauti has retained its historical authenticity and heritage. It remains one of the area’s most important historic villages. Typical of the tradition of the Newar people, the town is built of pink bricks and carved wood, and the village has a peaceful atmosphere – only in September is the rural tranquility disturbed by the ‘Carriage Festival.’

The old part of the town lies at the union of two small rivers, with an important cluster of temples at the confluence. This spot is an ancient PowerPoint, with an invisible third stream also running parallel. An annual festival is held here every twelve years (in January), during which the third stream is believed to appear. During this time, cremations are held here, and a festival is held there. You can stay at a charming old village house in Panauti that has been beautifully restored — a perfect place to spend a night when visiting the ancient town.

Visit NamoBuddha

The next day, you will hike from Panauti through fields, orchards, and villages to Namobuddha. Upon arriving at Namobuddha, you will visit the stupa, where you can learn about Tamang Buddhist heritage and how it compares to Tibetan Buddhism. Siddhartha Gautama’s selfless act of offering his body to a hungry tigress is the inspiration for this stupa, which is believed to have aided him on his path to enlightenment and, ultimately, Buddhahood. Then climb to the top of the hill and visit the newly built Tibetan Buddhist monastery perched on the hilltop above the stupa to learn about the significance of this place and its place in local Tamang culture.

In just a few minutes, you’ll be at your mountain retreat, which offers great views of the Himalayas as well as an intriguing architectural style that makes it a wonderful place to relax and experience the feeling of being in the Himalayas. Arrive around mid-afternoon and simply relax or check out the sunset from a nearby lookout point.

Sightseeing in Bhaktapur

It is possible to enjoy gorgeous mountain views during breakfast before saying goodbye to Namobuddha and starting the final walk to Dhulikhel. This is a great way to end your hike as you walk through villages.

The tour starts at Dhulikhel with a look around the old town before you get in the car and drive back to Kathmandu. Along the way, you will stop in Bhaktapur to look at the old city, people, the durbar square, and temples and grab lunch. The Bhaktapur Durbar Square is one of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites and is where the Bhaktapur royal family once lived.

Khwopa is also known as the ancient city of Newa, and it is a complex containing four different squares. Taumadhi Square, Durbar Square, Pottery Square, and Dattatreya Square make up the collection. Bhaktapur is home to the Bhaktapur royal palaces as well as several temples and other ancient structures dating from the 17th and 18th centuries.

In the square, there are many displays of traditional Newari architecture. All the buildings are works of art in themselves; visitors will surely enjoy exploring them. It was severely affected by the 1934 and 2015 earthquakes in Nepal. We will drive back to Kathmandu from Bhaktapur and check in to your hotel.

Concluding the Tour

Whether you visit other popular cities of Nepal, such as Pokhara, Chitwan, or Ilam after the Kathmandu tour or head back to your home country, it is time to bode farewell to Kathmandu. You can spend the last few minutes of your trip in Kathmandu with breakfast at a café, a city stroll, and/or souvenir shopping. A representative will meet you at your hotel and take you to the airport. Please be at the airport two hours before departure.

Cost includes:

• Arrival & Departure transport via private Car/Van/Bus.
• Three meals per day throughout the Trip(Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner)
• Accommodation during the trek.
• Nights’ accommodation in Kathmandu with B/B.
• Guide and a porter with Insurance, food, and accommodations.
• Sightseeing in Kathmandu or Pokhara valley with a car and tour guide
• First Aid kit.
• Trekking permit (Conservation fee).
• TIMS card (Trekking information management system) is like a permit.
• All needed government tax/vat.

Cost excludes:

• International Airfare.
• Your travel insurance.
• Sightseeing entrance fees
• Nepal Visa fee (US$ 50 for 30 days and US$ 30 for 15 days; you should get a visa open your arrival)
• Any kind of drinks, items of personal expenses like hot shower, battery charge, telephone, missing meal, WIFI Porters, etc.
• Tips for Guide and Porters

After you’ve enjoyed the thrilling and joyful heritage tour, you can choose whether to visit other beautiful places in Nepal or head back home. No matter what you choose, we hope you have a fantastic time.

We can accommodate group tours for this trip; however, you may also opt for a private tour according to your liking. We can arrange private trips at any time of the year at any date of your choosing. Please let us know what your preferred travel dates are so that we can accommodate you.

 

If life feels dull and boring, and you’re sick of your nine-to-five jobs, it might be time for you to take a break. Traveling to different countries can provide a fresh perspective on life and allow an individual to learn about different cultures and people. Furthermore, an amazing hub for such a vacation can be the beautiful country of Nepal. 

However, if you already know about Nepal, and are planning a trip to the gorgeous landlocked nation, let me suggest a great way to spend your time there. Perhaps you’re planning to visit Nepal so you can see the Himalayas. The mighty snow-capped Himalayas are certainly a reason to visit Nepal. But, you’ll find there’s a lot more to this fascinating country.

Nepal is a place of ancient cities, spirituality that is palpable, and one of the world’s most kind-hearted people. Many people can’t get enough of Nepal. The Kathmandu Valley is one of the most stunning regions in the country. It’s filled with amazing towns, temples, and culture. One of my favorite spots is Bhaktapur, a small town less than an hour from Kathmandu.

About Bhaktapur

The city is the most well-preserved of the three medieval Newari cities of the valley. The other two are Kathmandu and Patan. Despite the 2015 earthquake, Bhaktapur remains largely intact. Cars are not frequent in the historical city center, making a walk along its stone cobbled streets a pleasure indeed. The town is like a living museum, with temples on every corner, shops selling crafts and arts everywhere you look, and people with equally interesting people with countless amusing stories to tell.

On your trip to Nepal, you really must visit this place if you are interested in Nepali culture and heritage. In order to let you know a bit more about Bhaktapur, let me catch you up on the importance and history of this lovely city.

Heritage

UNESCO has listed Bhaktapur as a World Heritage Site, and as you walk through the city, you’ll see dozens of examples of traditional Newari architecture that made the city deserve the listing. Throughout the city are breathtaking buildings boasting intricate patterns and red brick façades.

The Nyatapola Temple in Bhaktapur is undeniably one of the most impressive architectural structures in the city. The temple’s five-tiered roof invites you to climb up steps and peer over beautiful views of Taumadhi Square and surrounding hills.

A must-see in Bhaktapur is Durbar Square, still as stunning as ever despite the earthquake damage. Many of the main temples have been repaired and restored as a result of the quake. However, you can still visit sites such as the Golden Gate of Bhaktapur, a wonderfully detailed entranceway that leads to the courtyard of the palace. Bhaktapur’s historical center, the Bhaktapur Durbar Square, is a museum of medieval art and architecture. It’s filled with sculptures, woodcarvings, and colossal pagodas dedicated to different gods and goddesses.

Originally built by King Jitamitra Malla in 1696, the Bhaktapur Durbar that can be seen today was reconstructed by King Bhupatindra Malla around the end of the 17th or beginning of the 18th century.

Additionally, you can stroll around the beautiful Siddha Pokhari Pond, enjoying the local snacks or ice cream. Whatever you decide to do, it’s sure that you’ll have a multitude of options to enjoy your time.

Local Cuisine

A differentiating factor between Nepali food and other South-East Asian cuisines is its distinct cultural influences from different ethnic groups, and Newari cuisine is, without a doubt, its richest and tastiest cuisine.

Bhaktapur is the perfect place to try some of Nepal’s most traditional and tasty food. Here, the Newari culture is celebrated, as is the cuisine, and you’ll find a variety of homely meals that are somewhat hard to find elsewhere in the country.

In Bhaktapur, steer clear of rooftop restaurants selling continental food, and seek out the local food in small alleyways. The real deals are hidden away from the tourist traps.

Other Food

As one example, Samay Baji is an authentic Newari dish made up of several small bites that have been passed down through generations. The local yogurt, the Juju Dhau, also known as King Curd, is a must-try in Bhaktapur. Served in clay pots in small shops around the city, this thick and creamy yogurt is made from buffalo milk and has a smooth, creamy texture. Many shops and stalls sell Juju Dhau in Bhaktapur since it is a local product. As mentioned earlier, you can stroll around the town squares or Siddha Pokhari enjoying a clay pot full of Juju Dhau.

Chhyang, also known as Thon, is an alcoholic beverage in Nepal. It is also known as ‘white rice ale.’ It is much stronger than Aida, which is a Nepali wine. Chhyang is usually ordered with spicy snacks in Nepal and is popular in Bhaktapur.

Bhaktapur is also famous for its ‘Bara,’ a Newari pancake made from black lentils and spices. On top of that, you can add eggs, spinach, minced meat (usually chicken or buff), and more. Bara is often served with chana dhal.

A Newari delicacy called yomari is very popular in Bhaktapur. It consists of steamed rice dough filled with brown sugar, ghee, and sesame seeds (chaku). You can also get it with condensed milk. The Newari celebrate a festival called ‘Yomari Punhi’ that marks the end of the rice harvest in December by eating this delicacy.

Art and Culture

The city has various unique arts and crafts that complement the beautiful city. Take a stroll down Potters’ Square to get a glimpse of the creation of pottery made using local clay. There are heaps of pots and bowls, yogurt cups, and souvenirs to be seen, all crafted, fired, and painted around this square, and the locals will be more than glad to have you observe and learn about their art.

Late afternoon is my favorite time to come here – when the sun dips below the horizon, and the potters begin to collect their creations after baking all day. Aside from the National Art Gallery, Bhaktapur also hosts a collection of traditional artifacts and paintings from Nepal’s past.

Traditions

If you wake up in Bhaktapur early enough, you can see why it’s called the ‘City of Devotion.’ Women wearing red dresses and men wearing topis carry offerings to the small temples dotted around the city.

One of my favorite places to observe local religious devotion is Bhairavnath Temple. It is a magnificent Hindu temple built in red bricks with an ornate golden door. Similar scenes can be seen throughout the city, including around the temple’s entrance, where locals buy marigolds from market stalls and leave them there. Taking in these sights is a great way to start the day.

Though there is a lot to see in Bhaktapur, I prefer exploring and soaking in the unique atmosphere. While Kathmandu feels overcrowded and chaotic, Bhaktapur is much quieter and more relaxed. Take your time and discover the city. Pokhara.Info’s touring package includes:

Cost includes:

• Arrival & Departure transport via private Car/Van/Bus.
• Three meals per day throughout the Trip(Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner)
• Accommodation during the trek.
• Nights’ accommodation in Kathmandu with B/B.
• Guide and a porter with Insurance, food, and accommodations.
• Sightseeing in Kathmandu or Pokhara valley with a car and tour guide
• First Aid kit.
• Trekking permit (Conservation fee).
• TIMS card (Trekking information management system) is like a permit.
• All needed government tax/vat.

Cost excludes:

• International Airfare.
• Your travel insurance.
• Sightseeing entrance fees
• Nepal Visa fee (US$ 50 for 30 days and US$ 30 for 15 days; you should get a visa open your arrival)
• Any kind of drinks, items of personal expenses like hot shower, battery charge, telephone, missing meal, WIFI Porters, etc.
• Tips for Guide and Porters

After you’ve enjoyed the thrilling and joyful experience, you can choose whether to visit other beautiful places in Nepal or head back home. No matter what you choose, we hope you have a fantastic time.

We can accommodate group tours for this trip; however, you may also opt for a private tour according to your liking. We can arrange private trips at any time of the year at any date of your choosing. Please let us know what your preferred travel dates are so that we can accommodate you.

Finally, Bhaktapur is the perfect place to unwind after a long trek or to gain a sense of the local culture before heading into the Himalayas. Spend a couple of days to enjoy the timeless energy of the place and get to know the people.